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Epic · Surfski

Epic V14

Narrowest bow in the Epic V-series with low bow volume to knife through wind chop and small waves; Gen 2 adds more rocker than Gen 1 for wave maneuverability while retaining the low-volume, high-speed hull that made it the fastest Epic ski in flat water.

Length
6.3 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck
33 cm
Lightest
10.4 kg
 
 
Epic V14, studio side profile
studio side profile · epickayaks.com

Specifications

Length
6.3 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck height
33 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Racers
New price
A$5,250 · US$4,995

Layup weights

Ultra11.5 kg
Elite10.4 kg
Millers Limited Edition10.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
5
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
10

Modelled from this hull's traced beam and depth at its design weight. Medium confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band is based on a trace of this hull’s geometry. Qualitative context includes 4 paddler reports and 7 linked sources.

Speed is also checked against the traced hull. Measured from this boat's side and plan photos, the shape alone rates 10, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: Best on flat water and moderate ocean chop; Gen 2 extends competence into bigger downwind ocean conditions but Epic still frames the V12 as the choice once wind/waves get large.

Paddler weight

Epic rates this hull for paddlers from 60 kg to 85 kg.

The maker’s published range. How this is worked out.

Generations

2008-2012 (Gen 1)

Released 'over 10 years' before the 2024/25 Gen 2 launch per Epic's own copy; marketed as fastest surfski on the market for mid-size water; won Molokai Challenge and other elite races; narrow low-volume bow to knife through chop.

2013-2023 (interim)

Commonly referred to on forums simply as 'the V14' through this period with no formal gen-2 designation from Epic; surfski.info threads describe it as fast on flats, tippier than the V12, low-volume bow, narrow bucket.

2024/25-present (Gen 2)

Epic's official Gen 2: reimagined for big ocean/downwind conditions, built on the Gen 3 V12's downwind success while keeping V14 top-end speed; increased rocker for maneuverability; slightly more stable than Gen 1, still less stable than the V12; 10cm longer than the V12 Gen 3 for more flat-water run; optimized for 60-85kg paddlers (up to ~90kg).

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fastest ski in the Epic V-series on flat water per Epic and forum consensus
  • Very efficient paddle entry / K1-like feel ('the most K1 feel of any ski I have paddled' - Craig Elliott, surfski.info)
  • Strong race pedigree: Molokai Challenge wins, dominant at Chattajack
  • Gen 2 broadens downwind capability without losing top-end speed
  • Excellent drainage and comfortable ergonomic seating praised across reviews

Cons

  • Least stable ski in the dataset - forum consensus repeatedly flags it as tippier than the V12
  • Narrow bucket pinches some paddlers used to the V12's cockpit
  • Gen 2 has a fairly narrow optimal paddler weight window (60-85kg, usable to ~90kg)
  • Requires prior flat-water/K1 background per experienced reviewers to be comfortable in ocean conditions

What paddlers say

'Ergonomics 9.5, Speed 9.5, Stability [rating omitted]... the most K1 feel of any ski I have paddled, picks up the smallest runners... Suitability: elite only paddlers in true ocean conditions' - Craig Elliott quick review, surfski.info forum (Gen 1 era)Reported experience
'It's a little tippier than my V12 but I like the overall ergonomics... lower volume especially in the bow, very comfortable bucket' - 1xsculler, surfski.info forumReported experience
'Regarding the V14, it's the easiest boat I have ever paddled in the runs and chop' - Oscar Jones, quoted on Epic's Gen 2 V14 product pageReported experience
'4 x v14's in top 5' at Molokai in messy conditions with side chop then headwind - tony h, surfski.info forumReported experience

Where to buy

Epic Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

AUD Gen 2 Ultra layup (11.5kg) 'from $5,250' current on epickayaks.com.au and paddleshop.com.au; Elite (10.4kg) layup $5,850; Miller's Limited Edition (10.5kg) $6,099. USD base currently listed 'sold out' at $4,995 on epickayaks.com.

Sources